IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,318,550
Granted Patent B2
US 12,318,550 · App. 17/975,625 · Granted Jun 3, 2025

Device and method for controlling respiration during sleep

Inventors: Anat Arzi (Rehovot, IL); Lee Sela (Rehovot, IL); Anton Plotkin (Rehovot, IL); Aharon Weissbrod (Rehovot, IL); Noam Sobel (Jaffa, IL)
Assignee: Yeda Research and Development Co. Ltd.
A61M21/02A61M15/085A61M16/10A61M2021/0016A61M2021/0088A61M2205/3375A61M2230/40A61M2230/63
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,318,550
App. No.
17/975,625
Granted
Jun 3, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device for controlling respiration during sleep based on the user physiological characteristic. The device includes an odor disperser for dispersing an odor; at least one detector for detecting a physiological characteristic of a user; and a controller for controlling respiration of the user by instructing the odor dispenser to disperse an odor responsive to detections by the at least one detector.

Claims (27)

1. A method of providing an odor during sleep, the method comprising:

monitoring physiological characteristics of a sleeper during a sleep period; and

automatically dispersing an odor, in response to said monitoring, and

changing a type of said odor to be dispensed at least once during the sleep period.

2. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

(a) monitoring respiration sound and/or respiration movement of said sleeper;

(b) monitoring arousal of said sleeper; and/or

(c) monitoring respiratory responses to said dispersing.

3. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising selecting an odor for dispersion responsive to said monitoring.

4. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising selecting a time length of odor dispersion responsive to said monitoring.

5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein controlling respiration comprises controlling respiration without inducing arousal.

6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein controlling respiration comprises increasing inhalation of at least one breath following odor dispersion.

7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said monitoring occurs after between 20-40 odor dispersions.

8. A method of claim 1 , wherein said repeatedly dispersing is in response to breathing suspension.

9. A method of claim 1 , comprising monitoring snoring sounds of said sleeper, wherein said repeatedly dispersing is in response to said snoring sounds.

10. A device for providing an odor during sleep, the device comprising:

an odorant reservoir having a plurality of different odors;

an odor disperser adapted to disperse an odor from said odorant reservoir;

a sensor configured for sensing physiological characteristics of a sleeper;

a controller configured for monitoring signals from said sensor, for controlling the odor dispenser to disperse said odor, and for changing a type of said odor to be dispensed at least once during a sleep period of the sleeper, responsive to said monitored signals.

11. A device according to claim 10 , wherein the controller is further configured for controlling respiration of the user over a sleep period by repeatedly instructing the odor dispersion to disperse an odor during said sleep period.

12. A device according to claim 10 , further comprising a respiration detector.

13. A device according to claim 10 , wherein the controller is further configured for selecting a dose of odor for dispersion.

14. A device according to claim 10 , wherein said controller is configured to receive said detections after between 20-40 odor dispersions.

15. A device according to claim 10 , wherein said controller is configured to repeatedly disperse said odor in response to breathing suspension.

16. A device according to claim 10 , comprising an additional detector configured to monitor snoring sounds, and said controller is configured to repeatedly disperse said odor in response to said snoring sounds.

17. A device according to claim 10 , comprising a learning module, wherein said controller is configured for changing said type of said odor based on input from said learning module.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 2, 2023
From: ARZI, ANAT; SELA, LEE; PLOTKIN, ANTON; WEISSBROD, AHARON; SOBEL, NOAM
To: YEDA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CO. LTD.
Reel/Frame 062568/0362 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 16545007 · Aug 20, 2019
Continuation 13520581
Provisional Application 61282233 · Jan 5, 2010
Related Publication 20230055651A1 · Feb 23, 2023
References Cited (82)
US 5725472A · Weathers · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5819347A · Masuda · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 6093158A · Morris · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6198963B1 · Haim · 2001 [cited by examiner]
US 6467477B1 · Frank et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 10456550B2 · Arzi et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20010042546A1 · Umeda et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 20040079814A1 · Altadonna, Jr. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20050283039A1 · Cornel · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20070023044A1 · Kwok et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070083079A1 · Lee et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20080041373A1 · Doshi et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080227857A1 · Wei · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080308106A1 · Augustine et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20120078065A1 · De Lemos et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120272958A1 · Arzi et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20200046935A1 · Arzi et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
DE 19853394 · 2000 [cited by applicant]
JP 2006325756 · 2006 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2010100567 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
Advisory Action Before the Filing of An Appeal Brief Dated Jun. 8, 2017 From the US Patent and Trademark Office Re. U.S. Appl. No. 13/520,581. (4 Pages). [cited by applicant]
Communication Pursuant to Article 94(3) EPC Dated Apr. 18, 2019 From the European Patent Office Re. Application No. 11701161.9. (9 Pages). [cited by applicant]
Communication Pursuant to Article 94(3) EPC Dated Jan. 18, 2017 From the European Patent Office Re. Application No. 11701161.9. (7 Pages). [cited by applicant]
Communication Pursuant to Article 94(3) EPC Dated Sep. 22, 2020 From the European Patent Office Re. Application No. 11701161.9. (5 Pages). [cited by applicant]
Communication Pursuant to Article 94(3) EPC Dated Nov. 27, 2019 From the European Patent Office Re. Application No. 11701161.9. (14 Pages). [cited by applicant]
European Search Report and the European Search Opinion Dated Jan. 19, 2022 From the European Patent Office Re. Application No. 21169309.8. (9 Pages). [cited by applicant]
Examiners Answer Dated Dec. 4, 2018 Before The Patent Trial and Appeal Board of the US Patent and Trademark Office Re. U.S. Appl. No. 13/520,581. (10 pages). [cited by applicant]
Examiners Answer Dated Nov. 24, 2017 Before The Patent Trial and Appeal Board of the US Patent and Trademark Office Re. U.S. Appl. No. 13/520,581. (20 pages). [cited by applicant]
International Preliminary Report on Patentability Dated Jul. 19, 2012 From the International Bureau of WIPO Re. Application No. PCT/IL2011/000011. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and the Written Opinion Dated May 20, 2011 From the International Searching Authority Re. Application No. PCT/IL2011/000011. [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance Dated Jul. 7, 2022 from US Patent and Trademark Office Re. U.S. Appl. No. 16/545,007. (10 pages). [cited by applicant]
Notice Of Allowance Dated Mar. 21, 2019 From the US Patent and Trademark Office Re. U.S. Appl. No. 13/520,581. (3 pages). [cited by applicant]
Office Action Dated Nov. 10, 2014 From the Israel Patent Office Re. Application No. 220798. [cited by applicant]
Office Action Dated Feb. 15, 2015 From the Israel Patent Office Re. Application No. 220798. [cited by applicant]
Office Action Dated May 19, 2015 From the Israel Patent Office Re. Application No. 220798. [cited by applicant]
Official Action Dated Feb. 2, 2016 From the US Patent and Trademark Office Re. U.S. Appl. No. 13/520,581. [cited by applicant]
Official Action Dated Jul. 17, 2015 From the US Patent and Trademark Office Re. U.S. Appl. No. 13/520,581. [cited by applicant]
Official Action Dated Jan. 21, 2022 from US Patent and Trademark Office Re. U.S. Appl. No. 16/545,007. (19 pages). [cited by applicant]
Official Action Dated May 27, 2016 From the US Patent and Trademark Office Re. U.S. Appl. No. 13/520,581. [cited by applicant]
Official Action Dated Dec. 30, 2016 From the US Patent and Trademark Office Re. U.S. Appl. No. 13/520,581. (18 pages). [cited by applicant]
Second Notice Of Allowance Dated Aug. 9, 2019 From the US Patent and Trademark Office Re. U.S. Appl. No. 13/520,581. (6 pages). [cited by applicant]
Translation Dated Mar. 1, 2015 of Office Action Dated Feb. 15, 2015 From the Israel Patent Office Re. Application No. 220798. [cited by applicant]
Arzi et al. “The Influence of Odorants on Respiratory Patterns in Sleep”, Chemical Senses, 35(1):31-40, XP55071862A, Nov. 16, 2009. [cited by applicant]
Atlas Task Force “EEG Arousals: Scoring Rules and Examples”, Atlas Task Force of the American Sleep Disorders Association, ASDA Report, Sleep, 15(2): 173-184, 1992. [cited by applicant]
Badia et al. “Responsiveness to Olfactory Stimuli Presented in Sleep”, Physiology & Behavior, 48: 87-90, 1990. [cited by applicant]
Ballester et al. “Evidence of the Effectiveness of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in the Treatment of Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome”, American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 159: 495-501, 1999. [cited by applicant]
Bensafi et al. “Hedonic-Specific Activity in Piriform Cortex During Odor Imagery Mimics That During Odor Perception”, Journal of Neurophysiology, 98: 3254-3262, Oct. 3, 2007. [cited by applicant]
Brunner “Success and Failure of Mirtazapine as Alternative Treatment in Elderly Stroke Patients With Sleep Apnea—A Preliminary Open Trial”, Sleep Breath, 12: 281-285, Published Online Mar. 28, 2008. [cited by applicant]
Carley et al. “Efficacy of Mirtazapine in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome”, Sleep, 30(1): 35-41, 2007. [cited by applicant]
Charuzi et al. “Bariatric Surgery in Morbidly Obese Sleep-Apnea Patients: Short- and Long-Term Follow-Up”, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 55: 594S-596S, 1992. [cited by applicant]
Doty et al. “Intranasal Trigeminal Stimulation From Odorous Volatiles: Psychometric Responses From Anosmic and Normal Humans”, Physiology & Behavior, 20: 175-185, 1978. [cited by applicant]
Eckert et al. “Mechanisms of Apnea”, Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, 51(4): 313-323, Jan./Feb. 2009. [cited by applicant]
Ferini-Strambi et al. “Cognitive Dysfunction in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Partial Reversibility After Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)”, Brain Research Bulletin, 61: 87-92, 2003. [cited by applicant]
Field et al. “Lavender Bath Oil Reduces Stress and Crying and Enhances Sleep in Very Young Infants”, Early Human Development, 84: 399-401, 2008. [cited by applicant]
Fitzpatrick et al. “Partitioning of Inhaled Ventilation Between the Nasal and Oral Routes During Sleep in Normal Subjects”, Journal of Applied Physiology, 94: 883-890, 2003. [cited by applicant]
Fontanini et al. “Slow-Waves in the Olfactory System: An Olfactory Perspective on Corticol Rhythms”, Trands in Neuroscience, 29(8): 29(8): 429-437, Published Online Jul. 13, 2006. [cited by applicant]
Goel et al. “An Olfactory Stimulus Modifies Nighttime Sleep in Young Men and Women”, Chronobiology International, 22(5): 889-904, 2005. [cited by applicant]
Goel et al. “Sleep Changes Vary by Odor Perception in Young Adults”, Biological Psychology, 71: 341-349, 2006. [cited by applicant]
Grupp et al. “Chemosensory Induced Arousals During Sleep in Premenopausal Women”, Neuroscience Letters, 444: 22-26, 2008. [cited by applicant]
Hummel et al. “Intranasal Chemosensory Function of the Trigeminal Nerve and Aspects of Its Relation to Olfaction”, International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 75(5): 305-313, Epub Mar. 2, 2002. [cited by applicant]
Issa et al. “Upper Airway Closing Pressures in Obstructive Sleep Apnea”, Journal of Applied Physiology, 57: 520-527, 1984. [cited by applicant]
Johnson et al. “A Comparison of Methods for Sniff Measurement Concurrent With Olfactory Tasks in Humans”, Chemical Senses, 31: 795-806, Advance Access Publication Aug. 16, 2006. [cited by applicant]
Johnson et al. “Methods for Building An Olfactometer With Known Concentration Outcomes”, Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 160: 231-245, 2007. [cited by applicant]
Johnson et al. “Rapid Olfactory Processing Implicates Subcortical Control of An Olfactomotor System”, Journal of Neurophysiology, 90: 1084-1094, First Published Apr. 23, 2003. [cited by applicant]
Lewith et al. “A Single-Blinded, Randomized Pilot Study Evaluating the Aroma of Lavandula Augustifolia as A Treatment for Mild Insomnia”, The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 11(4): 631-637, 2005. [cited by applicant]
Liao et al. “Incidence and Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Following Pharyngeal Flap Surgery in Patients With Cleft Palate”, The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, 39(3): 312-316, May 2002. [cited by applicant]
Marin et al. “Long-Term Cardiovascular Outcomes in Men With Obstructive Sleep Apnoea-Hypopnoea With or Without Treatment With Continuous Positive Airway Pressure: An Observational Study”, The Lancet, 365: 1046-1053, Mar… [cited by applicant]
Marlier et al. “Olfactory Stimulation Prevents Apnea in Premature Newborns”, Pediatrics, 115(1): 83-88, 2005. [cited by applicant]
Mortimore et al. “Palatal Muscle EMG Response to Negaive Pressure in Awake Sleep Apneic and Control Subjects”, American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 156: 867-873, 1997. [cited by applicant]
Nelesen et al. “Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Normalizes Cardiac Autonomic and Hemadynamic Responses to Laboratory Stressor in Apneic Patients”, Chest, 119: 1092-1101, 2001. [cited by applicant]
Pepin et al. “Side Effects of Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in Sleep Apnea Syndrome. Study of 193 Patients in Two French Sleep Centers”, Chest, 107(2): 375-381, Feb. 1995. [cited by applicant]
Punjabi et al. “Sleep-Disordered Breathing, Glucose Intolerance, and Insulin Resistance. The Sleep Heart Health Study”, American Journal of Epidemiology, 160(6): 521-530, 2004. [cited by applicant]
Rasch et al. “Odor Cues During Slow-Wave Sleep Prompt Declarative Memory Consolidation”, Science, 315: 1426-1429, Mar. 9, 2007. [cited by applicant]
Sano et al. “Influence of Cedar Essence on Spontaneous Activity and Sleep of Rats and Human Daytime Nap”, Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 52: 133-135, 1998. [cited by applicant]
Seelke et al. “Sniffing in Infant Rats During Sleep and Wakefulness”, Bahavioral Neuroscience, 118(2): 267-273, 2004. [cited by applicant]
Sobel et al. “A Method for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Olfaction”, Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 78: 115-123, 1997. [cited by applicant]
Sobel et al. “Blind Smell: Brain Activation Induced by An Undetected Air-Borne Chemical”, Brain, 122(Pt.2): 209-217, 1999. [cited by applicant]
Stuck et al. “Arousal Responses to Olfacory or Trigeminal Stimulation During Sleep”, Sleep, 30(4): 506-510, 2007. [cited by applicant]
Waldhorn et al. “Long-Term Compliance With Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy of Obstructive Sleep Apnea”, Chest, 97(1): 33-38, Jan. 1990. [cited by applicant]
Walker et al. “Human Responses to Propionic Acid. II. Quantification of Breathing Responses and Their Relationship to Perception”, Chemical Senses, 26: 351-358, 2001. [cited by applicant]
Young et al. “The Occurrence of Sleep-Disordered Breathing Among Middle-Aged Adults”, The New England Journal of Medicine, 328(17): 1230-1235, Apr. 29, 1993. [cited by applicant]
Youngentob et al. “A Quantitative Analysis of Sniffing Strategies in Rats Performing Odor Detection Tasks”, Physiology & Behavior, 41: 59-69, 1987. [cited by applicant]